On its own, Pinterest can be a powerful marketing tool. When combined with a solid web presence that completes the cycle, the impact is even stronger. Such is the case with today’s Webs user example site, Robert Allan Salon.

When looking for websites to feature here on the blog, I am always delighted when I find myself taking exactly the path that the site’s creator intended. This suggests to me that they’ve done a really great job thinking through the user experience and strategizing about their website’s purpose.READ MORE

Here at Webs, we are chock full of website marketing solutions and advice for entrepreneurs looking to launch and grow their small businesses. But what if what you’re trying to promote is yourself? Don’t worry enterprising self-branders – we’ve got your back too.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your own personal branding site or online portfolio, check out this well-organized and energetic site from Webs user Jaclyn Vetrano. A recent graduate of SUNY Geneseo, Jackie uses her website to promote herself and her body of work to the world (specifically to possible future employers, we imagine). Let’s talk about some of the elements that really make this personal promotion website pop:READ MORE

Today’s example website comes from a user who really knows how to take full advantage of their sitebuilder. Pasadena Media is a nonprofit organization focused on community dialogue in their region of California. They provide public service programming through four TV channels, and provide media training.

What’s great about Pasadena Media’s website is that they manage to provide visitors with a huge amount of information while still maintaining a user-friendly, attractive, and well-organized site. They provide much of this information by taking full advantage of the features and apps available to them through the Webs sitebuilder. Let’s take a closer look at a few:READ MORE

Sometimes when small business owners first make the leap into buying a website, they can become their own worst enemy. They feel like they need to have an extensive website with robust navigation and overflowing image galleries before they can go live. And as anyone who has run a small business can tell you, this does take time to achieve. No matter how user-friendly your website builder, feeling the need to pull together a novel’s worth of copy and hundreds of photos can bring the process to a stand-still.READ MORE

It’s a pretty gloomy day here in Silver Spring, MD, but what better way to brighten things up than to check out a website full of puppies! Today’s Webs user example site comes from BehaviorWorks Dog Training & Behavior Specialists, which has 5 locations around Wisconsin.

This polished and energetic website has a lot going for it. First, there’s a great header that clearly brands the business and offers contact information right up front. Next is the navigation, which is robust and user-friendly.READ MORE

Today’s Webs user example site comes from a group of Tufts University undergraduates producing a “web-retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet”. Not only is the concept of JulesandMonty a lot of fun, the website they’re using to promote it is very nicely done!

One reason this site is so successful is the clean design. The layout is logical and well organized, and the colors are consistent and classy. This is so important for your website, because a cluttered look or overwhelming color scheme can cause people to abandon your website as quickly as they came to it. It’s so easy to hit that back button when your eye sees something that doesn’t agree with it.READ MORE

Every month or so we feature an exemplary website created by a Webs user, and talk about what makes their site effective (view all of our examples sites here). So today, in case you missed any along the way, we’re going to take a look back at some highlights. As you go through the examples below, think about how they might apply to a website you currently have, or one that you might be building in the year to come.

1. A Great Online Store: Beachcat Sail CompanyThere is a lot going for this ecommerce website. First, it’s very attractive and looks professional. While this is a plus for every website, it’s even more important if you’re going to be asking people to give you their money. Beachcat also does a great job of introducing their product, giving solid reasons why it’s a superior choice, and answering any questions a shopper might come up with along the way. Check them out to get some great web store ideas (or a custom sailboat, if you’re in that market).READ MORE

Most often, our Webs example sites feature small businesses. But during this time of the year, it seems most appropriate to feature a non-profit doing great work in our local community.

Building Hope, Inc. also has a special place in our hearts here at Webs, as it was founded by the mother of a long-time member of our support team. For the past few years, the whole team here has had a great time collecting and wrapping gifts to be delivered to families in the surrounding counties. This year we’ll be sending gifts to 82 kids. If you’d like to get involved with Building Hope, you can view their volunteer opportunities here.READ MORE

When we talk about customer appreciation and customer service, sometimes business-to-business companies feel a little left out. But they shouldn’t! Good customer service is good customer service, even if your customer is another business.

As we begin wrapping up our series on holiday marketing preparations, it’s only appropriate that today’s example site focus on a Webs user site that is doing a great job with ecommerce.

Kudzu Soap Company in northern Georgia does a fantastic job of using their website to marketing and sell their handcrafted bath items. Let’s take a look at 4 ways Kudzu’s website is set up for success:

1. Dynamic homepage ads. When you first arrive at Kudzu’s page, you get a snapshot of everything that’s going on with the brand without having to navigate around. This is a great way to get your important messages across before people have a chance to get distracted or hit the back button. Within 15 seconds I already know that they have special offers on Facebook and Twitter, I’ve seen an image of their products and packaging, I know where they are located, and that they make handcrafted soaps, boy mousses, and sugar scrubs. Not too shabby for a 15 second first impression.READ MORE